Nessa Childers, MEP for Dublin, welcomed today’s publication of a legislative review to make it mandatory for EU countries to exchange information on tax dealings between revenue services and multinational corporations.

If approved, this will require the exchange of information of any new tax deals, including all of those granted in the past 10 years and which remain in force.

Speaking today in reaction to the announcement from the European Commission, Ms. Childers, who has been selected as a substitute member of the European Parliament’s special committee to probe into tax ruling practices, said:

“This is a welcome step from Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, whose credibility at the helm of the EU executive depends, to a great extent, on his ability to curb multinational tax dodging, after the ‘Luxleaks’ revelations showed how big business evaded obscene sums in tax, under his watch.

“I was among the first to join forces with other colleagues in Parliament to set up a proper committee of enquiry into these practices. In the event, we had to accept the creation of a less powerful body, because the conservatism of a majority of MEPs who showed no interest in proper scrutiny.

“At least they seem to have been shamed into allowing for some substantial action, even if they blocked access to national documents.

“It is interesting to note that most of Fine Gael’s EPP colleagues who initially joined me signing the request for the committee of enquiry were somehow persuaded to withdraw their signatures. I wonder why and at whose behest?

“I share the view held by many colleagues in my group and beyond that we must also take action concerning towards an EU level definition of what constitutes a tax haven. Then we can be in a position to blacklist companies and consultancies for certain purposes, not least of which EU funding and contracts.

“EU legal action on tax matters requires unanimity of all Member States, but the measures proposed are a very modest step forward which I hope all will accept, in the face of such blatant injustice towards every working, law-abiding, taxpaying citizens and those that depend on them.”